YIKES ... Catching up!

I am WAY behind on posting.  We got back from Disneyland Paris, and while my running didn't fall off, my posting did!  So here's a summary of the runs I've done since we got back a week ago.

Week 4, Day 3: Wednesday, November 7
Time--30:59
Distance--2.25 miles
This distance is an estimate; I ran on an indoor track and the GPS went all wonky on me.

Week 5, Day 1: Friday, November 9
Time--33:59
Distance--2.32 miles
Ran this in our little village.  The uneven sidewalks hurt my knees but I'm sure it's just a matter of getting used to the change of surface.

Week 5, Day 2: Sunday, November 11
Time--27:59
Distance--1.98 miles
Another run in our village.  It was COLD for this run--I could see frost on the ground for the majority of my run!

Week 5, Day 3: Monday, November 12
Time--29:59
Distance--2.10 miles
Back to the track on base today.  This run was hard--started off with a nine minute run!  I was a little surprised at how my body just kind of went on auto-pilot on that long run, though.

The next run (Week 6, Day 1) will be a doozy ... two nine-minute runs.  It's gearing up for the first 20-minute run.  TWENTY MINUTES.  Hopefully my body will go into auto-pilot with that one, too!

Bonjour ... voulez-vous faire le jogging??

So, I ran into a dilemma this weekend.  We had a trip planned, and our two travel days were Friday and Monday--two out of the three days I run during the week.  I had a choice: wait an entire week between runs, or take jogging stuff and do at least one run on vacation.  So, surprising even to me, I took my workout clothes and actually went for a jog on vacation.  And this is where I ran:

Photo taken by Dean Thomas at Aspex Design

It's the lake at the Disneyland Paris theme park.  Let me say that again: I RAN AT DISNEYLAND PARIS.  Dare I say it ... have I become *GASP* a runner?  I think when you make time to run when you're at a theme park in France, you can't avoid calling yourself a runner any longer.  And that's what I have been doing: avoiding labeling myself as a runner LIKE THE PLAGUE.  I think part of me is still terrified that I will fail at it somehow--stop running, or not be as good as I would like--but I also think part of me knew that if I call myself a runner, there's no turning back.  It's something that you ARE, and something that is a part of you.  And I guess I'm not afraid anymore to commit myself to that way of life.  Yes, running is hard, but it really does make me feel good after I've finished.

So, I guess I should say ... JE SUIS UNE JOGGEUSE!

Workout summary:

Time: 30:59

Distance: 2.25 miles

Weekly Weigh-In

Today's measurements are for twenty-four weeks on plan:
Weight: 169.0
Chest: 38"
Left Bicep: 11.75"
Waist: 34.5"
Hip: 39.5"
Left Thigh: 22.5"

Total weight lost as of today: 69 pounds
Total inches lost as of today: 48.75"

I also finally got my scale to start showing all the measurements that it was supposed to show me from the beginning.  It measures the percentage of my weight that is body fat, water weight, muscle mass, and bone mass.  This is the first time I have seen these numbers, so I have taken the liberty of looking it up on "the Google" to see what is normal for my height and age, and those numbers are in parentheses beside my actual measurements:

Body fat: 33.3% (average is 20-21%)
Water weight: 48.2% (average is between 37-49% for my body fat %)
Muscle mass: 28.4% (average is 36%)
Bone mass: 4.0%

Looks like I have some work to do still!  Next week I will have my numbers again, so I can see how much they are changing from week to week.  It will give me a better gauge on how I'm doing, since my weight loss seems to be slowing down a bit.

(I have another "during" picture to post, but I don't like the ones I took this morning ... I will take more tonight or tomorrow and post it then!)

Ease Into 5K: Week 4, Day 1

Or, as I wanted to call this post: THE APOCALYPSE.

I had so many fears about this day.  Most stemmed from the fact that up until now, I was super-proud of myself for jogging an entire three minutes in a row, and even that was a struggle.  Then I saw today's intervals, and I nearly choked: Run four minutes, walk two, run six minutes, walk three, run four minutes, walk two.  Then collapse on the ground and assume the fetal position.  (Okay, so I added that last bit.)  So, after my eye appointment and a quick favor to a friend, I put in my earphones and headed out.  I was in my little village today, which was actually kind of nice; it's such a sweet little village and on my run today I actually got to go to parts of it that I rarely see.  And the change of scenery, coupled with some AWESOME music from my workout playlist, made today's run easier.  I won't say easy; the first run was extremely hard--my legs felt like lead pretty much throughout the run--and that six-minute run nearly did me in.  But it was only slightly awful, as opposed to the scene from Revelation that I was imagining.


Time--30:59
Distance--2.11 miles


Friday is supposed to be Day 2, but we are getting up early to catch a train to Disneyland Paris (yes, I said Disneyland Paris ... my excitement cannot be measured with current technology) so I am not sure what this will do to my training.  I have half a mind to get up extremely early and fit it in before we leave.  If you know me, you know how much I absolutely HATE mornings, so the fact that I'm even considering this is a big deal.  More than likely I will try to get it in while we are at the park, although I'm not even sure if THAT will work. In any case, I hope I can fit in at least one run while we are gone.  We shall see!

Ease Into 5K: Week 3, Day 3

Time--26:59
Distance--1.94 miles

I am LOVING the GPS feature on this app.  It allows me to concentrate on my running and not on how many laps I've done so that I can figure out my pace.  It does it all for me!

Now Wednesday, I start Week 4.  The halfway point of the training!  And I'm so, so scared.  A 4-minute run, then a 6-minute run, then another 4-minute run.  I am going to DIE.

Ease Into 5K: Week 3, Day 2

Second verse ... same as the first ...

Time: 27:11
Distance: 1.8 miles

I finally got my app to allow me to make the in-app purchase to activate the GPS, so that it can track my mileage for me.  This makes things so much easier for me because I tend to obsess about how far I've gone. Now I don't even have to worry about it.  It's very nice!

Ease Into 5K: Week 3, Day 1

So, when my friend Megan told me that today's run starts off at three minutes, I was both shocked and terrified.  I mean, seriously?  I thought the 90-second runs were torture.  I thought I'd never get through that first run, much less the rest of the program for today.  And when I started, I almost psyched myself out; I began to think I was too winded, that my legs were too heavy, and that I'd never be able to finish this run.  Then I stopped that snowball and told myself to stop being such a wimp and do the best that I could.  And I'll bet you can guess what came next: yep, I finished that 3-minute run.  When the app directed me to start walking, my eyebrows raised and I said, out loud, "Hmm, not too bad I guess."  (Thank goodness the track was empty when I started--I don't need to be known as the crazy wife who talks to herself while running.)  It was still tough, but I think I was expecting it to be impossible ... and it wasn't.

Hmm.

I know that it's just going to get harder, but I think I learned an important lesson today: if I just push myself, I can actually surprise myself with what I'm able to do.  It's a welcome change from the defeatist attitude I've had for so long being overweight.

Workout summary:
Time--27:00
Distance--1.75 miles

Four and a half weeks!!

Two posts in one day!  Boy, aren't you guys impressed?  (haha)

Just writing a quick post to say HOLY CRAP, I JUST SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST 5K.  It's called the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Festive 5K in Ely on November 25.  Paid my money and everything.  No turning back now!  I only have four and a half weeks until the race, so I won't be able to run the entire thing just yet, but I want to be able to run at least half of it, maybe two-thirds of it.  I am actually excited--giddy, even!

If you're in the area and want to run with me, I would love the company, as long as you understand that I will be SLOW SLOW SLOW!

UPDATE: I just found out that my race packet will include a Santa hat, which I am encouraged to wear while I complete the race.  I am looking forward to this race even more now!

Ease Into 5K: Week 2, Day 3

So I never got a chance to get out of the house with the Munchkin to get Day 3 done over the weekend.  I told myself that I would just start over today on Week 2, but then I realized that I didn't want to backtrack.  I actually WANT to move forward to Week 3, even though starting off with a 3-minute run scares the bejeezus out of me.  I think the fact that I don't want to repeat Week 2 says a lot about how far things have come for me.  Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty proud of my decision to keep moving forward!

Today's workout:
Time--33:14
Distance--2.25 miles (approximate ... I lost count on the track!)

Wednesday starts Week 3 and yes, I'm scared.  My hairdresser will also probably kill me because I have an appointment that morning and I will be showing up with a sweaty head.  I figure, if I can just get my hair to dry before I get there, it will be okay.  We won't tell, will we?

Ease Into 5K: Week 2, Day 2

Short post today just to log in my workout from this morning.  It's cold and wet here, and I want to curl up in a ball and vegetate for about five hours, but I have places to go, things to do.

Time--34:03

Distance: 2.5 miles

It was another worm-minefield out there--something I will have to get used to, I suppose.  EWW.

I have one more run this week, but I'm not sure when I will fit it in.  It will probably have to be tomorrow afternoon after the Munchkin wakes up from her nap.

Ease Into 5K: Week 2, Day 1

HOLY LONG RUNS, BATMAN.

I was totally prepared for this workout to suck.  After all, I had to take an extra two days off due to a sick kiddo, so I knew my body would be protesting a bit.  And while the runs were harder, and winded me more, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever done.  Ask me again Friday, on Day 2, and I might have a different opinion, though.  I have no idea when I will fit in Day 3 since every other day I will have the Munchkin with me (also known as She Who Hates the Stroller) but maybe I can bribe the wee one with some ice cream if she behaves long enough for me to get through it.  Yep, I'm that momma.

Summary:
Time--32:05
Distance--2.15mi

Ran on the track on base today, which was an unexpected venue since not an hour before I began, it was absolutely pouring rain.  The rain stopped, and the clouds were pretty much gone by the time I started, but the wind was HOWLING.  And the rain brought out all of the slimy creepy-crawlies.  It was like a slug/earthworm minefield on that track.

ACK! Weekly Weigh-In and a Catch-Up

So ... Hey, folks!  How ya doin'?  Did you wonder where I went?  Yeah, me too.  I forgot to post my workout for Friday, so here it is:

Completed Day Three of Ease Into 5K
Time: 26:38
Distance: 1.98mi

I followed a route with some friends who were running, and it was nice to have a change of scenery.  It was NOT nice, however, when a van decided to run through a puddle and soak my entire right side.  Classy, people--thanks.

This weekend was a down weekend for exercise, which was good because our little Munchkin got sick and is still sick today.  Sick Munchkin = no school = no "alone" exercise time for Mommy, so I am behind on starting Week 2 of my Ease Into 5K app.  I am hoping that my husband can come home a little early today, so I can maybe squeeze my run in before dinner.

I alo weighed in today, and have lost another 2.6 pounds!  That brings my total to 64 pounds lost, with 36 left to go.  If I average three pounds a week (which might be a stretch but I'm being optimistic here), that would mean that I will hit my goal weight just after the new year.  I would absolutely LOVE to reach my goal in January!  Here's hoping!

Ease Into 5K: Week 1, Day 2 (a day late)

WHOOPS!  Forgot to post my workout from yesterday ...

Time--26:45
Distance--I don't know.  The track I used was not marked.  I am assuming I got at least 1.5 miles in.

I have one more day in Week 1 and then the running times get longer.  Nervous about that but we shall see how I handle it!

Weekly Weigh-In

On Take Shape For Life (TSFL), I weigh in once a week and record my weight and measurements at five different places on my body.  I will be posting those numbers here for the world to see, which some may call insane; I call it ACCOUNTABILITY.  If everyone reading this blog sees my measurements, I'm less tempted to cheat and make those numbers go UP rather than down.

Since this is my first weigh-in post, I will post my starting measurements, so you can see how far I have come in five months.

Starting Measurements:
Weight--238.0
Chest--48.75"
Left Bicep--15.75"
Waist--49.5"
Hip--51.5"
Left thigh--30"

These are the measurements I took this morning, at twenty weeks on plan:
Weight--176.6
Chest--40"
Left Bicep--12"
Waist--36.5"
Hip--40.5"
Left Thigh--22.75"

Total weight lost as of today: 61.4 pounds
Total inches lost as of today: 43.25"

WOW.  Just seeing those numbers again makes me realize just how far I have come.  I've lost more than a foot off my waist alone!  I also took another "in progress" picture today and the comparison to when I began is mind-blowing.

I cannot believe I ever looked that bad.  It is pure motivation to stay on plan, when I see that "before" picture and how unhealthy I looked (and was!).  It's not easy, by any stretch, but by following the plan I look and feel SO MUCH BETTER.

Yay for health!

Ease Into 5K: Week 1, Day 1

Got started today, and I think I'm going to like this program.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle the running bits, but they're spaced evenly apart and aren't too long (that last 60-second one was the worst, though). I do find it funny that, since I bought the app in the UK, the voice giving me cues is British.  Anyway, my workout summary:

Time: 26:45
Distance: 1.75miles

I am actually really excited to get back out there Wednesday to get Week 1, Day 2 under my belt.  I never thought I'd be excited to exercise!

Today's workout

Went to the gym today and spent some quality time with the elliptical machine.  I almost wanted to hug it; it had been WAY too long since I stepped onto its lovely little foot pads.  I love my elliptical workouts because I sweat like a MO-FO and I feel like I can go faster and farther on it than on the track.  Got in two miles in under 30 minutes, too.  Yay!  Not sure if I will be working out this weekend or not ... if the mood hits me (and the husband is willing to babysit) then I might head out for a walk around our village.  If not, it's a weekend of rest then Ease Into 5K time on Monday!

Today's workout ... and a new goal

Got another walk in today ... Had to estimate the total distance because my phone couldn't pick up a steady GPS signal.  I will never understand how that can happen when you're outside and not in a metal warehouse, but whatever.  I think I got at least 1.5 miles in today.  We'll call it good.  Tomorrow's an off day (massage ... can't wait!) then Thursday I will probably skip as well, since I will have my three-year-old with me and being pushed in the stroller is somewhat akin to root canal surgery for her.  So I'll be back in the saddle on Friday, sans Munchkin.

I plan to start the Ease Into 5K program on Monday.  It's an eight-week program designed to slowly build your jogging up until, at the end of the program, you are jogging three miles consecutively.  I'm a bit daunted by this, but I have a jogging partner--a friend who is willingly slowing her runs down to walk/jog with me--so hopefully that will push me to finish this program this time.  I plan to do our base's Turkey Trot 5K around Thanksgiving, so while I won't be finished with the program by then, my goal is to be able to jog at least two of the three miles.  Fingers crossed!

Back on track

Got out and did a little walking today.  And I do mean "a little" ... I kept a pretty moderate 3mph pace and walked two miles in 40 minutes.  But I think the thing that shocked me was not that I actually felt like I got a workout (because I did, albeit a very light one), but that I wasn't completely and totally winded.  I know that sounds weird, so as my mom would say, lemme 'splain.  Five months ago, if I had been forced to take a three-week hiatus from walking, the first day back would have been TORTURE.  I would have been puffing for breath, my knees and ankles would have been screaming in pain, and I would have been cursing like a sailor the entire time (in my head, of course).  Today, though, NONE of that.  I am truly amazed.  No doubt it's because I'm carrying around less weight than I was five months ago.  It makes me want to cancel the massage I have scheduled for Wednesday just so I can get back on the track and do it again.  I won't, because HELLO--MASSAGE! But it makes me want to, and I should get points for that, right?

I don't have anything to do tomorrow morning, though ... Maybe I can bribe the Munchkin with some sort of goodie if she'll sit in her stroller and let me push her around the track.  Hmm ...

Ladies and gentlemen ...

Hey there, hi there, ho there!

Okay, so I should have restarted this blog about five months ago.  BIG changes in my life ... BIG!

First, you'll notice the name of the blog is different.  I am no longer trying to lose weight in order to conceive.  Obviously, the reasons are personal, but we just felt like it wasn't the right time for us.  So, moving on ...

I have actually found a plan that is working like gangbusters.  I have been on MediFast's Take Shape For Life plan now for almost five months, and I have lost a mind-blowing 57 pounds.  Yes, you read that right: FIFTY-SEVEN.  I can hardly believe it myself, until I get dressed in the morning and my "skinny" pants fall right off. I still have 43 to go until I reach my goal weight, but it seems like a much more attainable weight now that over half of it is gone.

I had been doing well with exercise as well, walking at least two miles about three times a week, and I had even been incorporating some jogging in as well.  Then I got appendicitis.  YEOWCH.  I'm about three weeks post-op, though, so I'm planning on getting back on track (pun intended) tomorrow.  Don't fret, though; I will be easing back into things.

So this is a formal "hi again" and a promise to try to update this thing more often.  If you're still following me, thanks for hanging out for so long!

Disclaimer: I am in no way being compensated by MediFast for mentioning their programs on this blog.  I just think they rock.